Ten candidates are on the ballot for five spots on the Tamaqua Area School Board. Incumbents Larry A. Wittig, Melanie Dillman and Daniel E. Schoener are being challenged by newcomers Liz Pinkey, Karen Tharp, Justin D. Startzel, Cheryl Tennant Humes, Stacey Betz, Trina Schellhammer and Thomas J. Bartasavage Jr.

The following candidates have submitted responses to a Times News questionnaire that was sent out every candidate.

Thomas Bartasavage Jr.

Background: I worked for 16 years at Lehigh Carbon Community College, as educational support president for eight years; assistant director of facilities and maintenance for five year; attended South Schuylkill Area Vocational Technical School for plumbing. Currently employed by Fegley Oil company.

Q: What is your top priority if elected to office?

A: Top priorities are to help with guiding our students in the direction that works the best for them. Examine all avenues in the protection of our students and to continue combating and addressing any bullying incidents at all levels throughout the district.

Stacey Betz

Background: I am the controller for Lehigh Carbon Community College. I have worked in accounting and finance for 22 years. I earned my MBA (in economic leadership) from Alvernia University.

Q: What are your top priorities if elected?

A: My top priorities would be managing the finances of the district and ensuring that all of our students have a safe environment to learn in.

Q: What should be done to keep students of Tamaqua Area School District safe?

A: I truly believe we need to understand first what about the district is currently making it unsafe for our students. Once we know that, we can then move forward making the necessary changes to make it safer. That may mean installing equipment, hiring security personnel, conducting trainings, etc.

Cheryl Tennant Humes

Background: I am a proud Tamaqua alumnus and resident of West Penn Township, and a graduate of Bloomsburg University and Widener University School of Law. A mother of four and a grandmother of four, I was a foster parent for over 18 years. I have represented children’s best interests in court and served as court-appointed educational decision-maker for dozens of children. Currently, I represent taxpayers in property tax appeals in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Q: What are your top priorities if elected?

A: If elected, I would immediately work with other board members and stakeholders to complete a comprehensive, evidence-based security plan that does not put our district at risk for more litigation and possible tax increases. I would encourage the board to replace their current model of “working backward” with a proactive, research-driven, transparent procedure for policy-making. Finally, I have reviewed past years’ budgets and have identified areas where the budget could be trimmed without sacrificing program quality.

Q: What should be done to keep students of Tamaqua Area School District safe?

A: According to school safety experts, the best plan is multifaceted. I support a strategy that includes safety audits of the buildings; annual safety plans ensuring ease of communications with emergency responders; trained armed resource officers on-site; centralized threat assessment reporting; a focus on prevention by creating a safe school climate; early intervention to detect and prevent potentially violent behavior; and coordination between mental health service providers, police and the district when potential issues are detected.

Liz Pinkey

Background: My husband and I are lifetime residents of the school district. We have three children who are currently students in the district. I have a bachelor’s degree from Boston University and have been employed by Versum Materials (formerly Air Products) in Hometown, for 20 years. I have volunteered extensively with many youth organizations, including the Tamaqua YMCA, TAYSA, the West Penn PTO, the Tamaqua Blue Waves, and USA Swimming.

Q: What are your top priorities if elected?

A: My top priority is to return integrity to the district and maintain the safety of our students, while keeping taxes low in our district. I will focus on fiscal responsibility, not raising taxes, and improving our graduation rate, making sure that our students are well prepared to take on the challenges of life after high school, whether it includes entering the work force, our military, postsecondary education, or trade school.

Q: What should be done to keep students of Tamaqua Area School District safe?

A: We need a comprehensive safety plan, including preventive and mental health initiatives, that involves our community, teachers, emergency personnel, and our students to create a safe environment for all students, our personnel, and everyone who interacts with our schools.

Trina Schellhammer

Background: A lifelong resident of West Penn Township and a Tamaqua graduate, I am a proud mom of two children and am married to my husband, Troy, for 26 years. Supporting my husband and children is my most important job, and my Christian faith and values play a role in every aspect of my life.

I’ve managed the business office of MAS-TEK Builders Inc. and started a successful small business, The Green Snail, in 2015.

Q: What is your top priority if elected to office?

A: Creating a secure, safe learning environment, encouraging family involvement in each student’s educational journey, and promoting the understanding that we all share the same goal in helping each child to succeed; would like to see vocational-technical schools promoted with as much enthusiasm as are collegiate degrees, would help to fill the great demand for skilled tradesmen.

Raising taxes burdens our families, so being fiscally responsible and doing everything possible to prevent unnecessary tax increases.

Q: What should be done to keep students of Tamaqua Area School District safe?

A: We are reminded daily of the evil in this world, and society has changed the role of public education. As a parent, ensuring the protection and safety of our children is of utmost importance. I will continue to educate myself on solutions to ensure our kids are safe, and seek grant money to help fund this cause. We need to keep an open mind, work together and consider all options available to protect our students.

Justin David Startzel

Background: I was born and raised in Tamaqua, a proud South Warder and a 2009 Tamaqua graduate. I’m employed at Walmart Distribution in Pottsville and an active member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard as a supply specialist. I was Tamaqua’s first junior borough council member, and was elected to the borough council. I’ve led many successful projects and events promoting both the school and the community and I look forward to building our future together.

Q: What are your top three priorities if elected?

A: One of my priorities is to help create a school where parents can send their children for a quality education in a safe and inclusive environment, and to help build trust between the board, staff, parents and educators. I will promote policies and strategies that are legal and recommended by experts to make sure each building has adequate security. I will maintain openness and transparency when conducting school board business.

Karen Tharp

Background: I am a Tamaqua graduate who currently lives in West Penn Township with my husband and youngest son, a Tamaqua middle schooler. I am the mother of seven and grandmother of 10 (three who are Tamaqua students). I have a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s in counseling psychology. I worked as a special-education teacher and was one of the founders of Climb-a-Lot Clubhouse. I also worked for LCCC administering the Morgan scholarship.

Q: What are your top priorities if elected?

A: My top priority is to bring respect back to the district by eliminating board members who are causing continuous distractions and attracting negative attention and publicity to the district. National attention over sex scandals and arming teachers should not be what we are known for when we have such great students and staff doing amazing things every day.

Q: What should be done to keep students of Tamaqua Area School District safe?

A: I want to see the district continue to improve building security measures, but I also want to see threat assessment teams put in place in each building and more mental health services made available to students so threats to school safety can be identified much earlier.

Larry Wittig, Melanie Dillman and Daniel E. Schoener did not respond to the questionnaire.